Noise Junkie – Demo
It is always impressive when someone is able to write and record an entire album alone. Playing mandolin, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and banjo, Noise Junkie–a guy named Drew–put together an eclectic mix of five complex demos, where some songs scarcely fit into the same genre.
The opening track features great acoustic guitar solos, but on the whole is cluttered and drags on a bit too long. The deep tones of the djembe swallow the drum parts and detracts from the guitar and bass at times. Track two makes up for the first song, kicking off with a foot-stomping banjo part that reminds me of Modest Mouse’s “Satin in a Coffin” without the cryptic lyrics and shouts. There are solid vocal harmonies interwoven throughout giving this track some pop potential. Track three takes a different direction, sounding more like Elvis Costello or Franz Ferdinand. It’s danceable. It’s catchy. It’s fun. Track four has smooth acoustic guitar with sporadic slide guitar and random noises thrown in. This song is as cluttered as track one, but in a different way that fits overall. The piano and bass parts are strong but not overpowering, with deeper vocals. Sludgy distorted guitars and driving drums lead this song while the overdubbed vocals repeat; “We’re having a good time now.” Indeed we are.
This CD ends with my favorite of the six demos. With a drum machine and Pavement/Stephen Malkmus-style guitar and vocal parts, Drew muses, “Life is a dream, life is a bitch. It sucks when you’re poor, it sucks when you’re rich.” I would say this is pessimistic, but the chorus is, “Don’t call me negative.” So, I won’t. But I will say with a full band, Noise Junkie would be an entertaining live show.
Self-Released
myspace.com/drew253music
